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Fact Sheet

July 2013

Public Comment for Proposed Corrective Measures and RCRA Part II Permit Modification, Lafarge Midwest Corporation, Fredonia, Wilson County, Kansas

INTRODUCTION

EPA Region 7 invites the public to review and comment on the proposed corrective measures and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part II Permit modification for the Lafarge Midwest Corporation facility. The 45-day public comment period will run from July 11 through August 26, 2013.

The public is encouraged to review the EPA’s investigation reports regarding the Lafarge facility. This information is contained in the Administrative Record and is available during normal business hours at the following locations:

Fredonia Public Library
807 Jefferson St.
Fredonia, KS 66736
(316) 378-2863

EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
(913) 551-7166

The Administrative Record is also available at the following EPA website: www.epa.gov/region7/public_notices

Written comments on the proposed cleanup plans should be mailed or emailed no later than August 26, 2013, and should be sent to:

Bruce Morrison
EPA Region 7, AWMD/WRAP
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: morrison.bruce@epa.gov

BACKGROUND

The Lafarge Midwest Corporation owns a cement production plant on Cement Plant Road in Fredonia, Kansas. The facility produced Portland cement from 1907 to March 2012, at which time Lafarge ceased production activity. During recent operations, Portland cement was produced in two cement kilns at the facility. The primary fuel used for both kilns was hazardous waste, which provided up to 100 percent of the energy required by the kilns each year.

The purpose of the draft Statement of Basis and RCRA Part II permit modification is to require the implementation of selected corrective measures at three Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) identified as follows:

5 – Historic Kiln Dust Disposal Area
6 – Recent Kiln Dust Disposal Area
11 – Closed Kiln Dust Disposal Area

THE CONTAMINATION

The three SWMUs contain cement kiln dust that contains elevated levels of several heavy metals and volatile organic compounds. In summary, contaminants found at the facility include the following:

In Groundwater: Arsenic, lead, antimony, barium, dichloromethane, naphthalene, 2,4- dinitrotoluene, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

In Soil: Arsenic

In Surface Water: bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

PROPOSED CLEANUP PLANS

The final remedy proposed for SWMUs 5, 6, and 11 consists of capping in place, groundwater monitoring, and land use controls. The landfill caps will consist of engineered soil covers and include periodic inspection and maintenance. Cap maintenance will include erosion repair, re-vegetation and tree removal. Surface and groundwater monitoring will consist of semi-annual sampling and laboratory analysis of samples collected from 12 monitoring wells and two surface water locations on Clear Creek. Samples will be analyzed for metals, volatile organic compounds, and water quality parameters. Land use controls will include provisions for restricting the site to industrial use only, limiting the disturbance of the CKD landfills, restricting groundwater use, and securing the site from unauthorized visitors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and comment on the proposed Statement of Basis and permit modification.

Guidelines for Commenting:

A formal public hearing has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public hearing must be made in writing to the EPA contact at the address listed on page 1 and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing if it finds that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the cleanup remedy. Comments or requests should be submitted by August 26, 2013.

EPA will select the remedy and make the proposed permit modification final only after the public comment period ends and all comments are reviewed. EPA may modify the proposed remedy or choose another one based on any new information and comments from the public.

If you have questions or want to receive further information, please contact:

Beckie Himes
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7253
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: himes.beckie@epa.gov

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